OTTAWA COUNTY, Mich. — When it came to living life, David Split, 61, always lived it outdoors.
“Dave was always very adventurous. He loved the outdoors. If he could hunt every single day he would, or fished,” says his wife, Jill Split.
So, when he and Jill got married, she knew she would be outside a lot.
“This was the summer after we were married. And he had, still has a 1967 Chris Craft. Wow. And we were out boating," she said, showing a picture of her and David.
When David went out for a fishing trip on Lake Michigan back in September, Jill and his family thought it was like every other fishing trip.
But unfortunately, it wasn't.
David went missing on Tuesday, Sept. 12 while boating on Lake Michigan. His body was later found on Sept. 15.
It was a tragic day for the family that had turned into months of grief. But from that grief, Jill and her family say they've found gratitude.
Jill says even though it wasn't the outcome they wanted, they are so thankful for how the Coast Guard and other officials jumped into action to save her husband.
She says they used several different aircrafts, drones and other technology to find her husband, and even called her frequently to make sure she was up-to-date at all times.
And because all the agencies involved stood by her side during this dark time, she says it's important for others to know about heroes in their community.
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